What is DHCP and how do I enable it on my router?

DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. The most important thing to know about DHCP is that it plays a key role in assigning IP addresses to everyone on the Internet. There are over a billion computers in the world, and each one needs its own IP address whenever it's online.

Most likely, your Internet Service Provider is your DHCP server. A DHCP server is one computer on the network that assigns IP addresses to the other computers, or "hosts," on the network. Essentially, the DHCP server gives you a hall pass to use the Internet.

If you're having trouble getting your base to connect to your modem or router, the first thing you should check is that DHCP is enabled. Typically, you can find and adjust DHCP settings in Network Settings. However, a lot depends on your specific router, operating system, and Internet Service Provider, so we recommend consulting your ISP for further direction.